Remedy

by Kaylee Ryan

  It was after two this morning before we got back to my place and in bed. Collins was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. I wasn’t far behind her. I set my alarm to make sure we didn’t miss lunch with our parents, pulled her into me, and fell fast asleep. Now here I am at a little after ten, and wide awake. The alarm is set to go off in fifteen minutes, so I turn it off, letting her have that time to sleep. It also gives me time to watch her.

  Yesterday was more than I could have hoped for. I was sure Caleb would be pissed. He wasn’t. That’s great, it is, but it also means the main reason I ran, it was for nothing. We still would have had to be in a long-distance relationship with medical school and her nursing school. We’ll never know if we could have made it work, and at this point, it doesn’t matter. We made it back to each other, and we’re no longer hiding how much we love each other. That’s what matters. Never again will I let fear control me. I let the possibility of the unknown keep me from her for way too long. “Never again,” I whisper, tightening my hold on her. Never again will I let fear keep me from what could be amazing.

  Reaching for my cell, I pull up my mother’s contact and send her a text message.

  Me: I’m ready.

  Mom: Good morning to you, too.

  Mom: Ready for what? Lunch? I haven’t even started.

  Me: No. I’m ready. Do you still have Grandma’s ring?

  Mom: Oh.

  Mom: Of course, I do. I told you I would hold onto it until you were ready.

  Me: I’m ready.

  I wait for her reply. I smile when I think about her dancing around the kitchen.

  Mom: Okay. I’ll have it out and ready for you.

  Me: Thank you, Mom.

  Me: I love you.

  Mom: I love you, too, Grady.

  “Who are you texting?” Collins sleep-laced voice asks.

  “My dad. He asked if I could come over and help him move a few things in the garage before lunch.”

  “I need to go to my place and shower anyway.”

  “How about I come back and pick you up so we can be there together?”

  “Grady, it’s our parents. I’m not afraid of them. Besides, they didn’t seem to be upset, just wanted answers. I’ll be there as soon as I’m ready.”

  “Okay, baby.” I kiss her and climb out of bed. She follows, wearing my T-shirt and those boy shorts. She takes a pair of shorts out of her dresser drawer and slides them on.

  “The perks of living next door.” She grins when she finds me watching her.

  “Just think of the perks if you actually lived here.”

  “Special privileges?” she asks, smiling.

  “Loads,” I reply, kissing her.

  “Maybe we should talk about that.”

  Placing my hands on her shoulders, I wait until she looks at me. “You serious?”

  She shrugs. “Yeah, I mean, if that’s still what you want. We don’t have to. I’d have to talk to Tabby, and—”

  I kiss her. I kiss her until we are both breathless and needing air. Breaking the kiss, excitement bubbles over at the thought of our future together. “Yes. I want that so much. Today, when we get back?” I ask, hopeful.

  “Slow down there, bud,” she says, tapping my chest. “I have to talk to Tabby. I won’t leave her hanging.”

  “Pay your portion. I’ve got things covered here,” I tell her.

  “Later.” She kisses my chin. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

  Realizing I have a limited amount of time, I rush to the shower. She has no idea that she’s just made my plans for today that much sweeter.

  Fifteen minutes later, I’m in my SUV and headed toward my parents’ place. However, instead of pulling into my parents’ driveway, I pull into hers. Grabbing my keys and my phone, I climb out and approach the front door.

  “Grady, where’s Collins? Is everything okay?” her mom asks when she answers the door and sees it’s only me.

  “She’s getting ready for lunch. I wanted to know if I could talk to you and Mr. Ward?”

  “Come on now, we’ve always been Roger and Monica. Nothing has changed. Come on in.” She steps back, allowing me to enter.

  I wait for her to close the door and follow her to the living room where Roger is sitting in his recliner. “Roger,” Monica says. “Grady wants to talk to us.”

  “Have a seat, son.”

  He called me son. That’s a good sign, right? “I love her,” I blurt. “More than anything, I love her. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life doing just that.” Roger nods and Monica places her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes.

  “She feels the same. I can tell from the way she looks at you.”

  This time it’s me who nods. Wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans, I go for it. “I’d like to ask your permission to marry her.” The room falls silent as I stare her father in the eye, waiting for his reply.

  “If you are who she chooses, you have our blessing.” He looks to his wife, and she nods, a tear falling down her cheek.

  “She does.”

  “You sound pretty certain.” Roger chuckles.

  “I’ve never been more certain.”

  “When do you plan to do it?” Monica asks.

  “Today. I have my grandmother’s ring. Mom’s been holding it for me, and I asked her to have it out and ready.”

  “Sounds like our lunch is turning into a celebration of sorts,” Roger replies.

  “Every day I have with her is a celebration.”

  “Just curious,” he says, tapping his chin. “What would you have done if I had said no?”

  I don’t hesitate. “I would have asked her anyway. I respect you, Roger.” I look at Monica. “I respect both of you, but I can’t live without her.”

  “Good answer,” he says, standing and offering me his hand to shake. “I like knowing that you put her first before all.”

  “Always.”

  After a hug from Monica, I head to my parents’ house knowing that Collins should be getting here soon. I pull out of the Wards’ drive and into ours. Mom is at the front door to greet me. She hands me the ring with tears in her eyes.

  “When did this happen?” Dad asks, coming up behind her and putting his arm around her shoulders.

  “It’s been a long time coming. We reconnected when I got home and well….” I hold up the ring box and grin.

  “She’s the one, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “You need to—”

  I cut him off holding up my hands. “I just talked to Roger and Monica. I have their blessing.”

  “Caleb?” Mom asks.

  “He so much as gave it to me last night. I didn’t tell him I was proposing, but he accepts that we’re together. He’s good with it.”

  “When are you asking her?” Mom asks, stars in her eyes.

  “Today.”

  “What?” She covers her mouth with her hand much like Monica just did moments ago.

  “I don’t want to wait. We hid this for so long, making sure it was solid, and we are. I want to start the next phase. I want her to be my wife.”

  “Well, all right then.” Dad laughs.

  “Knock, knock.” We hear Monica at the patio door. That could only mean Collins is here.

  I grin at my parents. Taking the ring out of the box, I shove it into my pocket, toss the box in the drawer of the hall table, and head in that direction to meet my girl.

  “So,” Mom says once we are all seated on the back deck. “Start from the beginning.”

  I open my mouth to reply, but Collins beats me to it. I’m glad in a way as they all know how I feel. This is her chance to let her side be told. She doesn’t realize I got here early and told them how I feel. Told them where I hope our future is headed.

  “We’ve always felt something.” She looks at me, and I nod. “But just recently, since Grady has been home, we’ve… become closer.”

  “That’s obvious,” her dad says. “Why hide it?”

  “
We wanted to be sure we were solid. There was more than just us to think about. Caleb and Grady have been friends since they were in diapers. Then once we knew,” she looks at me and smiles softly, “when we were sure it was real and solid, we were a few weeks out from the wedding. We didn’t want to do anything to cause upset and potentially ruin the wedding.”

  “So, what happened?” Dad asks.

  “Well,” Collins says with a laugh, “Caleb figured it out. Seems we were not as good at hiding it as we thought.”

  That causes our parents to chuckle. “So, you two are together? You’re dating?” her mom asks.

  “Yeah, we’re dating.”

  “About that,” I say, bringing her hand that’s been held tightly in mine to my lips for a soft kiss. I stand from my chair, pushing it back from the table, and pull hers out. She turns in her seat to face me, which puts her in the perfect position. “I love you,” I say, dropping to both knees. Her mouth drops open in shock as what I’m about to do registers. Reaching for her hands, I hold them in mine. “I know there is never going to be anyone but you in here.” I place our hands over my heart. “I want what they have.” I motion to our parents, who are watching with rapt attention. “I want to build a life with you. I want the babies and the carpools. I want the memories, the laughter, the tears. All of it. I want all of it with you.” Taking a deep breath, I release her hands and dig the ring out of my pocket. With a steady hand, I hold it up for her. “Collins, you’re no longer my weakness but my biggest strength. Will you do me the incredible honor of being my wife?”

  “Is that… is that your grandmother’s ring?”

  I smile and nod, emotion clogging my throat. I know she’s always loved this ring. Growing up, anytime she would see my grandmother, she would fawn all over it.

  Silent tears flow over her cheeks. “Yes,” she finally whispers.

  I can’t speak. The knot in my throat is too large, too restricting. The tears in my own eyes blur my vision. Standing, I take her hand in mine and slide the ring on her finger.

  “It’s a perfect fit.”

  Her watery smile slays me. “We’re a perfect fit, baby.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Our parents cheer and offer hugs and handshakes of congratulations. I never thought this day would happen. That night all those years ago, I fell madly in love with her. One night was all it took for me to know that she was my forever. As luck would have it, she feels the same way about me. I made it to college and then to medical school, graduated, and now in my residency, I’ve accomplished my goals, but this one, marrying Collins, will forever be my greatest accomplishment.

  She’s my remedy.

  Three years later

  Today is a special day in the Carmichael household. Today I get to watch a ceremony held by the hospital for the residents who have successfully completed their program. My husband is one of them. I was worried how my peers and upper management would take the news of Grady and I being engaged, but turns out it was fine. There are no rules against it in the handbook. Although, there were a few people who were rather upset. I can still remember the day that the nurses, namely the three who threw themselves at him, at least the ones I knew about, learned of our engagement. Sasha insisted we were punking them. After a few weeks of me wearing my ring, Grady referring to me as his fiancée with not a care in the world for who heard him, they finally got the hint and left him alone. It’s been smooth sailing ever since.

  We married two years ago in the same venue as Caleb and Emily. It was a fairy-tale day that I will never forget. Surrounded by our friends and family, we pledged our love for one another. We’re a perfect example of how dreams really do come true, both personally and professionally.

  “There she is,” Emily says as she takes a seat next to me.

  “Hey, where’s my nephew?” Caleb and Emily’s six-month-old son, Connor, coos from across the room. Turning, I see Caleb holding him while talking to our parents.

  “Daddy’s boy.” She grins.

  “You are in so much trouble. Two Calebs in the world,” I say, and we both laugh.

  “I wouldn’t want it any other way. However, a little Emily might be nice, too.”

  “Are you?” I ask excitedly.

  “No, but we definitely want more. What about you?”

  “Yeah, we’re working on it,” I tell her.

  “Collins, are we late? Did we miss it?” my mother-in-law asks frantically, taking her seat next to me.

  “Not at all; you still have a few minutes to spare.”

  “Thank goodness. There was an accident on the way here. I thought we were going to miss it.”

  “You’re good,” I tell her.

  We chat for a few more minutes until the announcer asks that we take our seats. Mom and Dad, followed by Caleb and baby Connor, settle in our row. The announcer, who happens to be the chief medical officer of the hospital, goes on to tell us that he is proud to have been able to mentor such a great group of doctors. One by one, he calls them by name to stand as he presents them with a certificate. When it’s Grady’s turn, our row cheers loudly. Even baby Connor squeals and claps his little hands.

  There are ten residents in this group, so the ceremony is quick. Once dismissed, they scatter throughout the room to their families. My husband heads straight for me but is intercepted by his parents, then mine. My brother stops him, too, and I know it’s on purpose. Grady steals Connor from Caleb and stalks toward me, bouncing him in his arms.

  “Hey, baby,” I greet him with a smile.

  “Mrs. Carmichael,” he says, kissing me. Connor grabs a chunk of my hair and pulls. “No, little man, that’s Aunt Collins’s hair. Ouch,” Grady tells him.

  My nephew just gives him a gummy smile. Little stinker. “It’s been two years, Grady. Are you ever going to stop greeting me like that?” Even though I give him a hard time for it, I don’t think I will ever tire of him greeting me that way.

  “Nope. Not ever.”

  Playfully, I roll my eyes and smile up at him. “Never say never.”

  “Trust me, wife, I’ll still be greeting you that way when we’re old and gray.”

  “Can I have my son back?” Caleb says, already reaching for Connor.

  “Hey.” Grady twists out of his hold. “You’re a baby hog.”

  “He’s my baby,” Caleb counters.

  “He’s my nephew,” Grady fires back.

  “Have one of your own. Give me my son,” he grumbles good-naturedly. Connor takes the choice out of their hands as he rests his head on Grady’s shoulder.

  I smile at them as they banter back and forth. I know Grady would love nothing more than for us to give Connor a little cousin. Over the last six months or so, that seems to be all he talks about. He’s not the only one. I’m ready for us to start our own family.

  “See, he likes me better,” Grady goads Caleb.

  “He’s tired,” Emily chimes in. At the sound of his momma’s voice, Connor reaches for her, and she takes him, smiling widely.

  “Son,” Caleb says, “we’ve got to work on this.” He kisses the top of his head, wrapping his arms around his wife and son.

  Enfolding my arms around Grady’s waist, I peer up at him. “You did it. I’m so damn proud of you.” I take a deep breath to hold back the tears that are threatening to fall. “Jared would be, too. I have a feeling he’s smiling down on you.”

  He swallows hard and hugs me tighter. “Thanks, baby.” He buries his face in my neck. He just holds me, breathing me in. I’m sure he’s fighting off his emotions. He kisses me, just under my ear, before standing to his full height.

  “So, dinner at our place,” my mother-in-law, Debbie, says. She’s oblivious to the moment we just shared and I’m okay with that. I don’t want to upset her or make this day about sadness. I simply wanted him to know that the person who started him on this journey, although no longer here on earth, would be damn proud of him.

  Grady clears his
throat. “Sure, Mom, we’re right behind you.”

  “See you there,” Caleb tells us. “Good job, brother.” They shake hands and follow our parents out the door.

  It’s been one hell of a long road, but it’s worth this moment. To have my wife, and our family there to cheer me on, nothing could top this day. I have two weeks off then I start my new job at a local private pediatric practice here in town. I did my rotation there and fell in love with the atmosphere. The physicians and staff are friendly and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I learned a lot from them and I can’t wait to start this next phase of my career.

  “What are you thinking about over there?”

  “Just how nothing could top today. I’ve busted my ass for years, leaving you, fighting to get you back. It’s all brought us here, and I’m so damn proud to be right where I am.”

  “It has been a great day,” she agrees.

  “The best.” Reaching over the console, I link her fingers with mine. She grows quiet and when I glance over at her, I can tell something is on her mind. “What’s up, baby?”

  Turning her head, she smiles. “Just trying to decide when I should give you your present.”

  “I thought we agreed on no present. We just put all that money out for the down payment on our house.” We bought a four-bedroom about two miles from our parents and another three from Caleb and Emily. It’s the perfect size for a soon to be growing family with a big backyard.

  “Yeah, I know. I still… have something for you.”

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Love me?”

  “Always.” I bring our joined hand to my lips.

  “Can we stop at the park?” She points just ahead.

  “Sure, it’s been years since I’ve been here.”

  “Yeah, we spent a lot of time here as kids.”

  “It’s not too far from our place. We’ll have to bring our kids here,” I say, pulling into the lot and turning off the ignition.